Catheter with open faced sloped end portion

Abstract

A vascular access catheter is disclosed that has a catheter shaft with a distal end portion with a distal tip having a sloped face that is positioned at an acute angle from the distal tip relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft. A first, second, and third lumen extend longitudinally through the catheter shaft. The third lumen is configured for receiving a guidewire and may extend a partial length of the catheter or substantially the entire length of the catheter. The first lumen has an aperture located in the angled edge distal end portion of the catheter next to the distal tip and communicates with the first lumen. The second lumen has an aperture that is positioned in the outer surface of the catheter shaft that is in communication with the second lumen, and is spaced proximally from the first lumen aperture.

1. A method of inserting a vascular access catheter into a vessel, wherein the method comprises:
 a. providing a vascular access catheter, wherein the catheter comprises: 
 a catheter shaft, wherein at least a portion of the catheter shaft forms a distal portion of the catheter, and wherein the distal portion has a distal end portion having a distal tip, wherein at least a portion of the distal end portion is substantially sloped with a sloped face that is angled proximally away from the distal tip and is positioned at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft; and 
 a plurality of longitudinally extending lumens defined therein the catheter shaft, wherein the plurality of lumens comprises a first lumen, a second lumen, and a third lumen defined within the catheter shaft, wherein the first and second lumens extend substantially the entire length of the catheter shaft, wherein the third lumen is configured to selectively receive at least a portion of a guidewire, wherein at least a portion of the third lumen and at least a portion of the first lumen share a common wall, and wherein at least a portion of the common wall is angled away from the longitudinal axis such that in the unstressed configuration, the shaft is positioned in a single common plane, wherein the single common plane bisects the first, second, and third lumens and passes through the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft, wherein the second lumen is positioned above the first lumen within the single common plane, and wherein the third lumen is positioned below the first lumen within the single common plane; 
 a first lumen aperture defined in at least a portion of the distal end portion that has a sloped face, adjacent the distal tip and in fluid communication with the first lumen; and 
 a second lumen aperture defined therein the exterior surface of the catheter shaft and in fluid communication with the second lumen, wherein the second lumen aperture is spaced proximally from the first lumen aperture, and 
 a distal aperture defined in at least a portion of the distal end portion and in fluid communication with the third lumen, wherein the distal aperture faces distally away from the catheter shaft and is angled proximally away from the distal tip, wherein the distal portion of the catheter is substantially curved in an unstressed state and forms a guard portion having an apex that extends upwardly relative to the single common plane and defines an inner angle measured in the single common plane opposite the apex, wherein the apex is positioned distally of the second lumen aperture; and 
 b. inserting the guidewire into a vessel in a patient body; and 
 c. inserting a guidewire into the distal aperture of the third lumen; and 
 d. advancing the guidewire through the third lumen and into the first lumen; and 
 e. inserting the catheter into a vessel in a patient body over the guidewire; and 
 f. positioning the distal portion of the catheter at a desired location; and 
 g. removing the guidewire from the third lumen. 
 
     
     
       2. A vascular access catheter comprising:
 a catheter shaft, wherein at least a portion of the catheter shaft forms a distal portion of the catheter, and wherein the distal portion has a distal end portion having a distal tip, wherein at least a portion of the distal end portion is substantially sloped with a sloped face that is angled proximally away from the distal tip and is positioned at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft; and 
 a plurality of longitudinally extending lumens defined therein the catheter shaft, wherein the plurality of lumens comprises a first lumen, a second lumen, and a third lumen defined within the catheter shaft, wherein the first and second lumens extend substantially the entire length of the catheter shaft, wherein the third lumen is configured to selectively receive at least a portion of a guidewire, wherein at least a portion of the third lumen and at least a portion of the first lumen share a common wall, and wherein at least a portion of the common wall is angled away from the longitudinal axis such that in the unstressed configuration, the shaft is positioned in a single common plane, wherein the single common plane bisects the first, second, and third lumens and passes through the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft, wherein the second lumen is positioned above the first lumen within the single common plane, and wherein the third lumen is positioned below the first lumen within the single common plane; 
 a first lumen aperture defined in at least a portion of the distal end portion that has a sloped face, adjacent the distal tip and in fluid communication with the first lumen; and 
 a second lumen aperture defined therein the exterior surface of the catheter shaft and in fluid communication with the second lumen, wherein the second lumen aperture is spaced proximally from the first lumen aperture, and 
 a distal aperture defined in at least a portion of the distal end portion and in fluid communication with the third lumen, wherein the distal aperture faces distally away from the catheter shaft and is angled proximally away from the distal tip, wherein the distal portion of the catheter is substantially curved in an unstressed state and forms a guard portion having an apex that extends upwardly relative to the single common plane and defines an inner angle measured in the single common plane opposite the apex, wherein the apex is positioned distally of the second lumen aperture. 
 
     
     
       3. The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the catheter shaft is movable in the single common plane between a stressed state and the unstressed state wherein in the stressed state the inner angle is approximately 180 degrees, and the catheter shaft is substantially straight, and wherein in the unstressed state, the inner angle is between about 45 degrees and about 135 degrees. 
     
     
       4. The catheter of  claim 2 , further comprising a liner, wherein the liner is positioned thereon at least a portion of the inner wall of the third lumen. 
     
     
       5. The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the third lumen has a length of between 3 mm and 10 mm.